Destined

Gu Jiusi was momentarily stunned. Liu Yuru said nothing more, smiled, then turned and followed Ye Shi'an and Shen Ming out.

The three of them discussed the follow-up matters as they returned to the Gu residence. The Gu family had always kept a room for Ye Shi'an. Shen Ming went to rest first, while Ye Shi'an escorted Liu Yuru to her room. As they approached the door, they chatted casually. Only then did Ye Shi'an smile and say, "Now I realize that Yuru is quite different from how she used to be."

"How so?" Liu Yuru asked, somewhat puzzled. Ye Shi'an thought seriously for a moment before replying, "Much braver."

"I've always been bold," Liu Yuru laughed. "You just didn't know me well enough before."

Ye Shi'an shook his head. "When it comes to actions, you are bold. But when it comes to opening your heart, you are far too cautious."

Liu Yuru froze. Ye Shi'an looked up at the bright moon and sighed emotionally. "They say the older you grow, the clearer things become. But for me, the older I get, the more confused I become."

Liu Yuru remained silent, quietly pondering his words. Ye Shi'an let out a bitter laugh, turned to her, and said, "Go inside and rest. I'll head back now."

Ye Shi'an turned and left first. Liu Yuru stood at the door for a moment before letting out a soft laugh and returning to her room.

After washing up, she lay down on the bed.

The bed, usually shared by two, felt empty and unfamiliar. Her mind drifted to the words Li Yunshang had spoken to Gu Jiusi earlier that night.

"Lord Gu, without the backing of a powerful family, how do you plan to survive in the Eastern Capital?"

"She is decent, but after all, she comes from a merchant background—hardly presentable in high society. Lord Gu, your future is limitless..."

Liu Yuru lay with her eyes open, staring quietly at the canopy above.

She trusted Gu Jiusi. His affection for her left no room for doubt. A woman's sense of security comes partly from herself, but mostly from the other person. Gu Jiusi had already given her all the security she needed, yet it made her want to give him the very best the world had to offer.

She began calculating the household expenses and suddenly felt a pang of sadness at her own inadequacy. Li Yunshang's words pricked at her heart, making her feel small and powerless in the Eastern Capital.

If only she had more money.

She thought to herself—if she had enough wealth to buy influence, enough to protect Gu Jiusi, enough to ensure he would never have to worry in times of crisis, that would be perfect.

With these thoughts, Liu Yuru drifted off to sleep.

The next day, she sent someone to make contact with officials from the Ministry of Revenue. In the afternoon, Ye Shi'an and Shen Ming returned with news.

"Today, I heard from my uncle that the Ministry of Justice has completed its investigation into Liu Chun's case and submitted the report. The Emperor has been in a foul mood ever since."

Ye Shi'an analyzed, "I suspect Liu Chun's case is far more complicated than the Emperor anticipated."

"Jiusi uncovered nearly forty million taels of silver, but only reported thirty million," Liu Yuru pondered. "There must be a deficit of nearly ten million taels. If the Ministry of Justice has already uncovered a ten-million-tael shortfall, do you think the Emperor will still protect Lu Yong?""If he isn't protected, the Ministry of Revenue will likely become unstable. Moreover, His Majesty has another consideration. He has been on the throne for less than a year. Although the Empress Dowager helped him ascend, this also means the old faction's influence in the Eastern Capital remains. Lu Yong is his right-hand man. If Lu Yong is truly targeted, it would mean striking at His Majesty's own supporters. On one hand, His Majesty's close allies would be disheartened; on the other, the old faction would likely cling fiercely to the position in the Ministry of Revenue."

"But such a large sum of money must have gone somewhere," Liu Yu Ru frowned. "The court is short of funds everywhere. Would His Majesty really let Lu Yong off so easily?"

"Between securing the throne and silver, what do you think His Majesty would choose?"

Ye Shi'an looked up at Liu Yu Ru. She pressed her lips together, and Ye Shi'an sighed. "What we fear now is for Jiusi. If this is truly the case, then the Empress Dowager's faction will likely cling fiercely to this case and not let go. With ten million taels missing, His Majesty will have to pay a price. The Empress Dowager won't allow this matter to be handled lightly."

"So," Liu Yu Ru understood, "the princess marrying Jiusi is the Empress Dowager's hope to bring Jiusi into their camp? They overthrow Lu Yong and then have Jiusi take over as Minister of Revenue?"

Gu Jiusi is currently the Vice Minister of Revenue, only one step away from becoming Minister. This time, if it isn't Lu Yong who falls, it will inevitably be Gu Jiusi.

It's highly possible that Li Yunshang also has some feelings for Gu Jiusi, but more importantly, they intend to groom him. Gu Jiusi has no family backing, making him easier to control in the future. A marriage alliance wouldn't provoke much displeasure from Fan Xuan, and at just nineteen, he holds the position of Vice Minister of Revenue, showing immense promise. With a little cultivation, he would become a great asset. Now, at this moment of crisis, if a marriage alliance is formed, he would become the Empress Dowager's perfect weapon.

But since he has rejected this opportunity, the Empress Dowager's faction naturally won't show mercy. Whether it's the Minister of Revenue or the Vice Minister, they must bring one down. Drawing Fan Xuan's blood is their goal.

Liu Yu Ru felt a slight suffocation in her heart, struggling to catch her breath, and murmured, "I've harmed him."

"What nonsense are you talking?" Shen Ming exclaimed. "It's those scoundrels who harmed him!"

Liu Yu Ru didn't speak, but Ye Shi'an understood her meaning. He sighed and advised, "Yu Ru, there is no man in this world who wants to climb up by relying on his wife and marriage alliances, unless he isn't a real man. I believe Jiusi is a good man."

"I understand," Liu Yu Ru sighed. "I'm just worried about him."

"Never mind," Liu Yu Ru smiled. "I feel relieved now. Let's first see the situation in the Ministry of Revenue. I suspect there will be a large number of memorials submitted about this matter in the coming days. I'll trouble you both to keep an eye on the court's developments for me."

Ye Shi'an nodded, and Shen Ming also agreed.

The next morning, just as Liu Yu Ru had anticipated, during the morning court session, memorials flooded in, demanding a strict investigation of Gu Jiusi and an immediate inventory of the national treasury.

At a time when the country is rebuilding from ruins, a Vice Minister of Revenue actually dared to order his subordinates to embezzle treasury silver and silence witnesses—such a thing is unheard of and a heinous crime.By the afternoon, the news had spread through every street and alley. As Liu Yuru walked along the road, she could hear commoners discussing the matter and muttering Gu Jiusi’s name: "I’d always heard he was a good official in Youzhou. It just goes to show—you can’t judge a person by their appearance."

Listening to these words, Liu Yuru tightened her grip on the carriage curtain. After a long while, she took a deep breath, returned to the carriage, and said softly, "Let’s go back to the residence."

After waiting like this for two days, the court was embroiled in fierce arguments over Gu Jiusi’s case. At this time, the people sent to Yangzhou and Taizhou finally returned. Upon hearing of their arrival, Liu Yuru immediately went to greet them in person. At the gate, Munan expressed some concern, saying, "Madam, should we change carriages to avoid being noticed?"

Liu Yuru paused for a moment, then replied, "No, we’ll go as we are."

"Madam..." Munan tried to dissuade her further, but Liu Yuru raised her hand to stop him and said decisively, "It might even be good to let Luo Zishang catch wind of this, to let him know I’m coming for him."

With that, Liu Yuru left the city. The people from Yangzhou and Taizhou arrived at the city gate one after the other, separated by no more than two hours. Liu Yuru waited for them in her carriage. The person sent to Yangzhou, Qin Liu, was the first to arrive. After boarding the carriage, he gulped down water and then said to Liu Yuru, "Madam, we’ve found a lead."

"Did you uncover his birth origins?"

"Yes," Qin Liu panted. "This time, I found a former servant of the Luo family. Just before the Luo family was wiped out, he happened to be away visiting relatives. After the incident, he went into hiding under a false name. It took a great deal of effort to track him down in Yangzhou."

"A Luo family servant?" Liu Yuru was puzzled. "Did he know about Luo Zishang’s origins? Wasn’t Luo Zishang a beggar?"

"He was indeed a beggar," Qin Liu nodded, "but that beggar was actually cast out by the Luo family."

Liu Yuru was momentarily stunned, unable to speak. After a long while, she finally said, "Go on."

"This man was a guard for the Luo family back then. He said there was a young lady in the Luo family who was rebellious by nature and often roamed around Yangzhou for fun. Later, she met a young nobleman outside and fell for him at first sight, determined to marry him. The two became intimate, and she became pregnant with Luo Zishang."

Liu Yuru frowned as Qin Liu continued, "Later, when the Luo lady revealed her identity, she discovered the young nobleman was already married, and his wife’s family held a high-ranking position in the capital, making it impossible for him to divorce her. Unwilling to become a concubine, the Luo lady ended the relationship. Her family initially wanted her to abort the child, but at the last moment, she couldn’t bear to do it. She stole some silver and ran away secretly. By the time the Luo family found her, it was too late to terminate the pregnancy, so she had to give birth to the child. However, Old Master Luo didn’t want the child to hinder her future prospects. Given the circumstances, it was already difficult for her to marry, let alone with a child in tow."

"And then?" Liu Yuru’s heart trembled. Qin Liu sighed, "After the child was born, Old Master Luo ordered a guard to take him away and abandon him, then lied to the Luo lady, telling her the child had died. Later, Old Master Luo had this guard keep an eye on the child, found him a foster father, and gave the foster father a sum of money before severing all ties.""Later, his adoptive father still died at the hands of the Luo family." Liu Yu Ru lowered her gaze, sorting through the events. Qin Liu nodded: "Yes, his adoptive father died. He went to the Luo family to demand an explanation, but after Old Master Luo saw him, he had him locked in the woodshed. At the time, the Luo family was entertaining an important guest, so they kept it quiet."

"An important guest?"

Liu Yu Ru was somewhat puzzled. Qin Liu nodded: "Yes, no one knows who that guest was. According to the guards, when the guest came to the Luo family, he was asking for something."

"What thing?"

"The jade seal."

Qin Liu's words shocked Liu Yu Ru.

"The Luo family has the Imperial Jade Seal?!"

"Reportedly, that's what the guest privately told Old Master Luo when he arrived." Qin Liu nodded, then continued, "They had a big argument in the room, which is how the guards overheard it. But Old Master Luo insisted they didn't have it. Later, when this guard went home to visit his family, the news of the Luo family's massacre came the very next day."

Liu Yu Ru sat in the carriage, silent for a long time.

"What else?"

"He said he later saved a Luo family servant who escaped. The servant stayed with him for less than three days before dying. This servant said the Luo family was slaughtered because of one sentence from a child. The child told the guest staying with the Luo family that if he exterminated the entire Luo family, he would present the jade seal."

Hearing this, Liu Yu Ru felt an indescribable chill. These words could only have been spoken by Luo Zishang, but how old was Luo Zishang at that time?

Exterminate the entire Luo family.

Before exterminating the Luo family, did he know his mother was among them?

Liu Yu Ru was stunned for a long time. After what felt like ages, she finally found her voice and asked, "What happened later?"

"The day after the Luo family massacre, Zhang Huai Li arrived at the Luo residence and found Luo Zishang. Luo Zishang claimed to be the sole survivor of the Luo family and was taken away by Master Zhang."

"After that, there's not much else to tell."

As they spoke, before finishing their conversation, they heard another clear voice say: "What happened next should be told by me."

Hearing this voice, Liu Yu Ru knew it was Qin Feng, who had been sent to Taizhou, returning. She quickly lifted the carriage curtain and urged, "Get in."

Qin Feng jumped into the carriage, and it began clip-clopping back toward the city. Liu Yu Ru, seated immediately, asked, "What happened then?"

"Master Zhang Huai Li adopted Luo Zishang and raised him as his own son." Qin Feng reported the findings from his investigation in Taizhou, speaking slowly. "It's said Luo Zishang was naturally intelligent and became Zhang Huai Li's prized student. Their relationship was like father and son. When Zhang Huai Li later fell seriously ill, Luo Zishang was the one by his side caring for him."

"Their relationship remained very good until Luo Zishang decided to go to Yangzhou. Zhang Huai Li disagreed, and they had a huge argument. During the argument, Master Zhang had a servant present. After Master Zhang died, the servant disappeared that same day."

"Was he found?"

Liu Yu Ru asked urgently. Qin Feng sighed: "I found him."

"Then..."

"He's dead."

The words choked Liu Yu Ru. Qin Feng said helplessly, "It's said he was being pursued, and later his injuries were too severe. He couldn't hold on and passed away."

Liu Yu Ru fell silent. After a long while, she finally asked, "He didn't die in front of Luo Zishang's people?"

"No."

"So, Luo Zishang isn't certain he's dead yet?"

"Right."

"What was his name?""Qi Ming."

Liu Yuru nodded, having thoroughly inquired about this Qi Ming before finally saying, "I understand."

She mentally calculated as she returned to the Gu residence. Pacing back and forth in the courtyard for a long while, she eventually declared, "Make the necessary preparations. I'm going to the Luo residence."

The arrangements had actually been in progress for quite some time. Soon after, Liu Yuru set out, having sent an advance visiting card ahead.

Luo Zishang was in the middle of playing chess against himself in the courtyard when he received the visiting card.

Looking at Liu Yuru's meticulously written card in delicate plum blossom regular script - as proper and upright as the person herself - Luo Zishang studied it for a long moment before smiling faintly. "The calligraphy is quite exquisite," he remarked.

Handing the card to the steward with instructions to keep it safe, he told the servant, "Show our guest in."

The servant didn't dare ask questions and promptly escorted Liu Yuru to the courtyard.

Luo Zishang's courtyard was built in classic Jiangnan garden style. Being generous with his spending, his residence was considerably larger than the Gu family's. He sat in the waterside pavilion, personally collecting his chess pieces. Liu Yuru approached and stood opposite him, bowing respectfully. "Lord Luo."

"Manager Liu."

Luo Zishang turned with a smile, gesturing. "Please, have a seat."

As Liu Yuru sat across from him, Luo Zishang personally prepared tea for her, saying quietly, "Manager Liu never visits without purpose. What brings you here today to sound out my intentions?"

"Lord Luo should already know why I've come."

Luo Zishang listened without responding immediately, taking a sip of tea before continuing, "Manager Liu's actions always leave me pondering. You dispatched two groups - one to Taizhou, another to Yangzhou. Both returned this morning, and you visit me this very afternoon. May I ask what you intend to do?"

"Lord Luo," Liu Yuru turned to look at the courtyard outside, speaking calmly, "why did you come to the Eastern Capital?"

"Wasn't it enough to wield absolute power in Yangzhou? Why come to the Eastern Capital?"

"Shall we play chess?" Though phrased as a question, Luo Zishang had already picked up pieces, as if certain Liu Yuru would agree. After a moment's hesitation, she finally reached out, took some pieces, and placed them on the table.

Having determined who would play black and white, Luo Zishang made the first move, saying lightly, "If I hadn't come to the Eastern Capital, what else should I have done?"

"I had reached the highest position possible in Yangzhou. It was time to advance further. Since you all came here, why shouldn't I?"

"So," Liu Yuru placed a white piece on the board, "after forcing us out of Yangzhou, you've come to the Eastern Capital to trouble us again."

"Manager Liu jests," Luo Zishang smiled. "I'm not here to cause trouble - I'm not one to stir up trouble without reason. It's just that in some matters, our positions differ, leaving me no choice."

"Has Lord Luo ever wondered what kind of person your mother was?"

At Liu Yuru's question, Luo Zishang fell silent. After a moment, he smiled. "My mother, née Wen, was an excellent person."

Madam Wen was the young mistress of the Luo family and the real Luo Zishang's mother. Liu Yuru looked up at Luo Zishang, saying calmly, "Lord Luo understands my meaning. This is your residence - we needn't maintain such pretenses here."Luo Zishang watched Liu Yuru place her piece. After a long while, he slowly smiled and said, "If Miss Liu would call me Young Master Luo, this topic might still be worth discussing."

Liu Yuru frowned. Luo Zishang continued slowly, "When I was young, I always wished to play chess and chat with someone my age. That would have been wonderful. But you keep addressing me as Lord Luo while discussing my family matters—it makes it difficult for me to speak openly."

"If I call you Young Master Luo, will you be able to speak openly then?"

"Indeed, I would."

Hearing this, Luo Zishang looked up and smiled at Liu Yuru, then lowered his head to place his piece. "I am a rootless person, so I don’t even know where I came from or where I’m going. When you ask me what my mother was like, I can only imagine she must have been an extraordinary person."

Luo Zishang spoke calmly, slowly sharing all his fantasies about his mother.

There were few people around. The summer afternoon was filled with the chirping of cicadas, and a breeze occasionally swept in, carrying a coolness from the water, making one feel alert at times, yet dazed at others in the sweltering heat.

Liu Yuru listened to him speak. There was no argument or conflict between them; they maintained a polite and peaceful atmosphere throughout. At the end, Liu Yuru suddenly said, "Does Lord Luo wish to know who his mother was?"

Luo Zishang’s hand, moving to place a chess piece, paused slightly. He lifted his head and looked at Liu Yuru.

After a long silence, he slowly smiled and said, "Miss Liu, if you want something, why not say it directly?"

"The case involving Jiusi—I believe it has some connection to you, Lord Luo," Liu Yuru said calmly. "I hope you can point me in the right direction."

"Miss Liu," Luo Zishang chuckled, "using the past to negotiate the present seems rather naive."

"What if it’s a past involving the murder of one’s teacher and mother?" Liu Yuru replied. Luo Zishang’s pupils abruptly contracted as he stared intently at her.

Liu Yuru’s expression remained unperturbed. "Does Lord Luo still remember Qi Ming?"

Luo Zishang said nothing. He tightly gripped the chess piece, his gaze fixed on Liu Yuru.

As if she hadn’t noticed, Liu Yuru continued placing her piece and said indifferently, "You now serve as the Crown Prince’s Imperial Tutor, and I’ve heard you have a good relationship with the Crown Prince. You’re building your path in the court, and since Jiusi and Brother Ye have a family feud with you, I understand why you’d target them. But I can’t help thinking—how many people would truly respect a person who murdered his teacher and mother, yet parades around under the name of the Luo family’s young master?"

"Right now, Young Master Wang is governing Yangzhou. You hold a position in the Eastern Capital, and although Yangzhou is filled with your people, it’s only because they believe you’ll secure a place in the Eastern Capital and that following you will lead to a promising future. A hero in troubled times is still a hero, but if one bears a name despised by all, they become a coward. Do you truly believe that with such a reputation, none of your subordinates would harbor disloyal thoughts? Not to mention others, you have two strategists in Yangzhou who are both disciples of Zhang Huaili—essentially your nephews. And what about the thoughts of those who recommended you or valued your noble Luo family background, like Young Master Wang?"

As Liu Yuru spoke, Luo Zishang’s expression shifted slightly. After a long silence, he smiled, a hint of coldness in his eyes. "Miss Liu has really considered everything on my behalf. Since it affects me so greatly, why not just reveal it publicly and let me be utterly disgraced?""Lord Luo," Liu Yu Ru's voice was calm, inexplicably soothing, "whether you believe it or not," she lifted her eyes to look at him, her expression solemn, "Jiu Si and I do not wish to be your enemy. I came today not to cause you trouble, but to save my husband. Even if I reveal all this, it still won't save him, will it?"

"Now, with ten million taels of silver, His Majesty clearly intends to hold my husband accountable. To speak plainly, given Lu Yong's temperament, how could he have orchestrated such a scheme back when Liu Chun died?"

Luo Zishang twirled the chess piece in his hand as he listened to Liu Yuru's words. Liu Yuru gazed at Luo Zishang, took a deep breath, and said, "Young Master Luo." She set down the chess piece, straightened her upper body, and spoke earnestly, "It's either mutual destruction or mutual benefit—you choose. Today, if you point me in the right direction and my husband remains unharmed, I guarantee this matter will not leak out in the slightest. All my information channels will be handed over to you. If Jiusi cannot be saved," Liu Yuru stared intently at Luo Zishang, "unless I die, I swear you will never know peace in this lifetime."

Upon hearing this, Luo Zishang let out a soft chuckle. He lifted his eyes to meet Liu Yuru's gaze, a smile playing on his lips. "I've heard such threats many times, but you, Miss Liu, are the first to truly make me ponder."

"Very well," he sighed. "To be honest, I don't care about Lord Gu's fate. Whether it's Lord Gu or Lord Lu who falls, as long as one of them is gone, it's enough for me. Since Miss Liu wishes to spare Lord Gu, then trouble Lord Lu instead. I have no objections."

With that, Luo Zishang raised his hand, and a guard approached, handing him paper and brush. Luo Zishang quickly wrote down a name. "Find this person. Though Liu Chun is dead, this man still lives. Liu Chun, fearing something might happen to him, entrusted everything to this individual."

Liu Yuru took the slip of paper, examined the name and address written on it, and waited for the ink to dry before finally saying, "Thank you."

Having spoken, she stood up and bowed. "I've said what I needed to say and will not disturb you further."

"The game isn't finished yet," Luo Zishang smiled. "Aren't you going to continue, Miss Liu?"

"Your Lordship may finish it yourself," Liu Yuru glanced at the sky. "It's getting late, and I must return home."

Luo Zishang said nothing, taking a sip of tea instead. As she reached the door, he suddenly asked, "Who is my mother?"

Liu Yuru halted, her back still turned to him, and slowly replied, "The former eldest daughter of the Luo family, Luo Yishui."

Luo Zishang's expression shifted to one of astonishment. After a long silence, Liu Yuru heard laughter from behind her.

"Luo Yishui..." His voice grew hoarse. "Luo Yishui..."

"Young Master Luo," Liu Yuru said calmly, "life is unpredictable, and you still have a long road ahead to repent."

"Repent?" Luo Zishang scoffed mockingly. "Rather than preaching righteousness to me here, Madam Gu, why not go ask who ended up with the imperial seal? See for yourself who should be repenting more."

Liu Yuru's heart trembled. She carefully tucked away the slip of paper and said lightly, "It's late. I take my leave."

With that, she strode out. Upon returning to the Gu residence, she found Ye Shi'an and Shen Ming waiting anxiously. "How did it go?" they asked as soon as she arrived.

Liu Yuru lifted her eyes and said slowly, "Do you know who currently holds the imperial seal?"

The question stunned both men. Shen Ming instinctively replied, "Isn't it with His Majesty? The one used to stamp imperial edicts, right?"

Liu Yuru turned to Ye Shi'an. "And where did His Majesty obtain it from?"

Ye Shi'an furrowed his brow, seeming to ponder for a moment before finally answering, "It seems it came from Prince Liang."